OTTAWA – Canada’s tourism industry might be in for a boost as Canadians boycott the United States and spend their travel dollars closer to home this year.

In a report released May 29, the Conference Board of Canada estimates the net economic benefit for the domestic tourism sector could be as high as $8.8 billion.

The think tank said its April travel intentions survey suggests roughly 27 per cent of Canadian respondents are considering a trip to the U.S. in the next few years – down from more than 50 per cent in the same survey last November.

Statistics Canada data shows the number of Canadians returning to the country from the United States by car fell 35.2 per cent year-over-year in April – the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year declines.

“This shift is so unique. It’s driven

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